Allergic to colds - is it possible?

[MerryMarigold]

I have had 4 quite severe allergic reactions since Christmas, which involve a rash all over my body lasting several days (even when kept 'under control' with antihistamines). The only common factor in each case was that I had a bad cold with each one - and the rash usually started when it hit the sinuses.

My Mum has spoken to someone who says her husband gets a rash with colds. Has anyone else heard of this? Seems very unfair - kick a person when they're down, hey! But at least I suppose I don't need to avoid certain foods...

Any advice or experience in this area?

sounds like a virus rather than an allergy have you seen th edocs

I went to doc the first time and he said it was a classic allergy, gave me piriton. I had frequent allergies a long time ago, when I was at school (not to colds!), so I recognsed it as such anyway. The rash is a very typical 'reaction'. Haven't been since (tbh the GP's in our area don't have a lot of time to be 'investigative' and will generally just treat the symptoms which I can do myself with some antihistamines). However, I may need to get stronger ones which will require a doc, so if I get it again and it lingers, I will go.

MerryMarigold - stress can exacerbate any illness. I used to get hives when I got very stressed. When you're stressed your immune system is generally weakened and anything (like a cold/sinusitis) can drain your resources further. Could it be this?

Perhaps, Iris. It always comes after the cold, though. I am also wondering if it is something to do with hormones as this first started up when I was about 15, but stopped at around 20. Now a year after ds was born it has started again.

Hi Merry!

I was trying to find if there was any record of people getting allergic reactions after getting a cold, and i found this post.
I would like to know if your experience is anything like mine and if you've found any answers to what the cause is.

Doctors have done tests but find that I'm allergic to nothing. But ever since i was a child, I've had an allergic reaction after getting a cold. At first we (me and my family) thought i could be allergic to a substance like paracetamol. But I've had colds without taking anything and still gotten it. The severity of the reaction varies from case to case but it always has about the same evolution.

It starts out with an itching rash on my elbows, then my knees. The rash can spread but it usually stays around joints. After a day or two when the rash is at it's worse my hands start swelling up until i can't flex my fingers anymore. This last for about 2 days, then my feet start swelling up until i can't walk in them anymore which also lasts for about 2 days. All in all i would say it lasts for a week.

It was more severe when i was younger and sometimes my face started having minor swellings, and in some rare cases my throat would swell up causing breathing problems.

After several years of trying to analyze the cause, I've come to e personal conclusion that it's linked to fever. Since I've had colds without getting the reaction, and i think i didn't get a fever those times. But I've never had a fever without a cold, so I can't be sure.

I have a cold right now and had a fever 4 days ago. The rash on my elbows just started.

Don't know if this rant will lead to anything, but i was just happy to see that I'm not the only one in the world with this problem.

Kim - I think post viral rashes are very common, i used to get them when I had had really bad tonsillitis, frequently, in my teens and so did my sister. rashes on the joints and stiffness/swelling of the fingers and elbows just as you describe - GP said it was a post viral syndrome and would always check our heart rates as some of those viruses can affect the heart , don't know if that's it with you, never heard of anyone actually being allergic to colds though.

hi
I get a classic allergic reaction to colds - have done since my teens. Itchy ears and itchy scalp (and I mean REALLY itchy and swollen), eyes puffy, lips swollen and a rash with welts down my back. I used to think it was an allergy to paracetemol but it happens even if I avoid any cold medication, so now I just take piriton along with paracetemol to control the symptoms.
I am intrigued to hear of others who suffer this - i wonder if it's a particular strain of virus that affects me because I can get some colds without an allergic reaction.

Hi

my 3 year old son has had a bad cold over the new year period. He is thankfully over the worst of it now. However, yesterday i noticed he was scratching his head alot and all around his ears were all red and swollen. First thought - head lice!!!!! I couldnt see anything and when bathing him later on i noticed red blotches appearing all over his back, stomoch, legs. My next thought was it must be chicken pox. Covered him in lotion and went to bed. On waking the folowing morning my sons face was swollen beyond belief. His forehead really swollen and his eye area was so bad he could hardly open them. He had like hives all over his body!! trying not to panic i took him to doctors. Not chicken pox but an allery!!! To what - who knows. His immune system must have ben low due to cold but he hasn't eaten or drank anything diferrent. The only thing i can think of is maybe his cough bottle or the vicks vapour rub i put on him. ive been givin medication for him and he is starting to look more like my son again. I am baffled just like the woman abouve me.

Lisa

My DD used to get rashes with viral infections - it was a great indication of whether or not she needed antibiotics! She has, to a large extent, grown out of it now. Our GP diagnosed it as a viral rash, it has a name, but I don't recall it.

My three year old son has exactly the same symptons as yours, Lisa. He started last Saturday and the swelling in the face and the rash is slowly getting better. The doctor has given him DiproBase cream for the rash, but does not want to give him any other medication as he says it is a reaction to a virus. I hope your little boy is better now - how long did it take until he felt and looked fine again?